AP
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A US warship docked in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, as the Trump administration ramps up military pressure on neighboring Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro.
In addition to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford approaching Venezuela, the guided missile destroyer USS Gravely will arrive in the Caribbean nation’s capital. President Maduro criticized the carrier move as an attempt by the US government to manufacture a “new forever war” against his country.
US President Donald Trump has accused Maduro of being the leader of the organized crime organization Torren de Aragua, without providing evidence.
Officials from the twin island nation and the United States said the giant warship would remain in Trinidad until Thursday to allow both countries to conduct training exercises.
A senior military official in Trinidad and Tobago told The Associated Press that the move was only recently planned. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been a vocal supporter of the US military presence and deadly attacks on suspected drug smugglers in waters off Venezuela.
Jennifer Neihart de Ortiz, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, said in a statement that the exercise was aimed at “addressing common threats, such as transnational crime, and building resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts.”
The visit comes a week after the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago warned Americans to stay away from U.S. government facilities in Trinidad and Tobago. Local authorities said the warning was prompted by reports of threats against Americans.
Many people in Trinidad and Tobago criticize the presence of warships in the city.
At a recent demonstration outside the US embassy, David Abdullah, leader of the Social Justice Movement political party, said Trinidad and Tobago should not have allowed warships to enter its territorial waters.
“This is a Trinidadian warship that will be anchored off the coast of Venezuela for several days in the event of a threat of war,” said Abdullah, who is also a leader of the Social Justice Movement political party. “That’s an abomination.”
CARICOM, a regional trading bloc made up of 15 Caribbean countries, called for dialogue. Trinidad and Tobago is also a member of the group, but Persado-Bissessar said the region is not a peace zone due to the number of murders and other violent crimes.
